Critical urgency
-Very severe
It is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs that occurs at altitudes above 2500m as a result of the pressure difference above sea level.
The amount of oxygen in the air decreases and the same happens in the organs and in the blood, causing arterial hypertension in the lungs and water retention.
This situation causes fatigue and slower recovery from exertion, progressive shortness of breath (with altitude), coughing and frothy phlegm.
It is diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms described above, which occur when climbing to this altitude.
Treatment is urgent and involves the descent of the person and oxygen therapy. Acetazolamide, dexamethasone and beta-2 agonists can be used to speed up recovery.
Without proper treatment, 40% of people die.
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- Scott A Gallagher, MD. Peter Hackett, MD. High altitude pulmonary edema. UpToDate. Sep 26, 2016.
- Stream JO, Grissom CK. Update on high-altitude pulmonary edema: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment. Wilderness Environ Med 2008; 19:293.
- Scherrer U, Allemann Y, Rexhaj E, et al. Mechanisms and drug therapy of pulmonary hypertension at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol 2013; 14:126.
Dr. Sara Vitoria
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